150 close friends and supporters of Chabad of Illinois gathered this month for an exclusive event benefiting the upcoming 18 thousand square foot replica of 770 that will house the headquarters of Chabad in the state.
150 close friends and supporters of Chabad of Illinois gathered this month for an exclusive event benefiting the upcoming 18 thousand square foot replica of 770 that will house the headquarters of Chabad in the state.
Throughout the state of Illinois, there are numerous Chabad building projects that have been undertaken in just the last few years; perhaps the crown jewel of all is the new regional headquarters of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois. This 18 thousand plus square foot structure which is being built as a replica of the iconic 770 Eastern Parkway, will house the regional headquarters of Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois, the Bais Menachem Chabad Center and its shul, the Women to Women offices and classrooms, and an entire floor designated for the rabbis and rebbetzins of the over over 50 Illinois Chabad Centers to come use as their own personal workspace, and a place for collaboration and working together to most efficiently bring the Rebbe’s message to more and more Jews.
This project was begun under the auspices of the late regional director of Chabad in Illinois, Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, of blessed memory, and has continued under his sons Rabbi Meir Moscowitz and Rabbi Yosef Moscowitz together with Rabbi Baruch Epstein and Rabbi Eliyahu Rapoport.
Sunday, 5 Kislev, November 19, was time for a celebration. They invited 150 of their closest friends, put out a beautiful display complete with harpist and flutist, carving stations, a wine table and took the people through the adventure that has led them to this point.
The audience was bedazzled by the beauty of the arrangement. They heard from the many, varied beneficiaries of this new project and then walked through the construction site as Rabbi Epstein painted a word picture of this beautiful edifice. “Imagine the sanctuary over here, envision the children’s playground over there,” he told them. He continued to point out the spaces for class rooms, Shluchim center, women’s corner, coffee station, and on and on it went.
“It was a beautiful, joyous, and uplifting evening, and has invigorated the entire community as they continue to work towards the god willing completion date of this great, new addition to the Illinois, Jewish community and to the Chabad community,” Rabbi Epstein said.
“Is this the best climate to begin a staggering new project? Is this the time to be bold or to hunker down?Some might say you should solidify what you have and shelve the grand plans for new buildings and construction for some time down the road,” Rabbi Meir Moscowitz shared with Anash.org.
“Well, those that suggest that show that they don’t truely understand the way that Chabad operates. There is no ‘off’ button, and no ‘slowdown’ button. We are continuing full steam ahead,” he said.
The project architect and designer is Morgante Wilson Architects and the contractor is CHI Construction. To learn more visit www.chabadillinoisbuidling.com.
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